There was good news and bad news in Columbia County’s housing market in September.

Development Services Director Richard Harmon told the Columbia County Commission’s Development Services Committee that there was a significant decrease in residential permits in September, with just 65 permits issued compared to 131 a year ago.

“I’m not sure why this is,” he said. “It could be because we had those two 100-year storms or it might be because it is an election year and people have other things on their mind.”

But while the number of home construction permits fell, Harmon said, there was a notable uptick in property values. He said the average home value in Columbia County is now $147,000, up from $140,000 last September.

“That’s pretty high, no matter where you are,” he said. “But this is Columbia County.”